havildar

/ ˈhævɪlˌdɑː /

noun

1. a noncommissioned officer in the Indian army, equivalent in rank to sergeant

Word History and Origins

Origin of havildar¹

C17: from Hindi, from Persian hawāldār one in charge

Example Sentences

Havildar, hav′il-dar, n. the highest rank of non-commissioned officer among native troops in India and Ceylon.

From Project Gutenberg

A havildar of the 4th said, “Sahib, is not our march one of the greatest on record?”

From Project Gutenberg

The cries from the barrack-room had ceased; for the poor havildar was dead, and his body had been removed to the hospital.

From Project Gutenberg

For on their way from Hathipota they had met one of our search-parties under a havildar, called Ranjit Singh, who told them of the crime and said that he had been informed by villagers at Jainti that a man carrying a rifle had been seen coming out of the jungle early that morning and going east.

From Project Gutenberg

The havildar had sent him back to report to me and tell me that the rest of the party were continuing in pursuit.

From Project Gutenberg